Petunias come in a wide variety of colors and sizes, and they can easily be grown from flower seeds. These popular annuals have a charming appeal and will be stunning whether planted in the flower border or in containers and baskets. These planting instructions are for the smaller multiflora varieties, the larger grandiflora varieties, and the trailing "wave" varieites.

Start Petunia seeds indoors 10 - 12 weeks prior to the end of frost season.

Petunias thrive in full sun to partial shade and in moist, fertile, well-draining soil. These colorful annuals will perform all spring and fall and are perfect for beds, borders, and containers of all kinds.

• Fill trays with moistened soil
• Petunia seeds are extremely small - some are pelleted to make them easier to handle
• Sow a 2 - 3 seeds in each cell
• The seeds require light for germination, so press the seeds into the soil but do not cover
• Place clear plastic wrap on top of the tray to help hold moisure and warmth in
• Lift the plastic daily and mist down the surface of the soil and seeds
• Keep the trays warm (72F and warmer), moist, and in a brightly lit are for germination
• Remove the plastic as soon as seedlings emerge
• Place the seedlings under grow lights for 12 - 16 hours each day
• Temperatures can be lowered to the 60s F for growing
• Give water soluable fertilizer diluted to half strength every couple of weeks during the growth period
• Once temperatures have warmed outdoors, harden off the seedlings for 7- 10 days prior to planting outdoors
• Transplant outside into beds or containers, pinch back any leggy growth to promote bushier growth

• Petunias required consistent irrigation
• They are heavy feeders, so give the a water soluable fertilizer for blooms every month
• Different varieties require different amounts of care - there are some that are self-cleaning and the older varieties (grandiflora for example) benefit from deadheading
• In the heat of summer when the plants want to stall, trim them back by 1/3 to encourage new growth and blooms